The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-06-11

pGOple WdHucTeu.
 They talked of everything in sight, now rising to sublimity, now sinking to absurdity in their discussions, and Ada, with skillful diplomacy, man. aged to evade the subject uppermost in Clinton's mind. No Audubon knew more of the characteristics of the birds which fiuttered by; no botanist Gray knew more of the forms and features of the flowers beneath their feet.
 "There are the honey -husk trees at last" said she, as they came in sight of cluster of thorny trees now white with bloom, beneath which the gay party were filling their baskets with the honey pods, which can only be gathered from the ground.
 "For what are they used?" said Clinton, as he assisted Ada in selecting the longest and most perfect.
 "Edibility and ornament" she re- piled. "Since the frost has. fallen upon them they have pleasant flavor. But we gather these beautiful seed pods mostly for decorative purposes" !" holding up shining bunch.
 Soon they were separated by that Till of inconsiderate people which will forever flow in between lovers.
 "Oh, Mir. Brown, will you cut that beautiful branch of thorns for me-" said Lula Long, the bright young lady in the coquettish red toque.
 "I can realize how beauty may be evolved from the most unpromising material" said Clinton, "but it is al- most beyond my imagination to see how thorns may be utilized as orna- ments. You gild or polish them per haps?"
 "Oh, mo-" said Lula, "they are al- ready beautiful satiny polish. They are just used in their natural growth and grace"
 Clinton was not long in looking through the low thicket of locusts for the gleam of Ada's olive green gown. He went around, to find her with eyes gleaming like opals and face flushed with that glory which only the elixir of air can give. bending over basket of honey -husks. Draw ing her aside he said:
 "There is one thing I have been wishing to ask you." Ada turned aside, but before she could interrupt he continued mysteriously "One thing ill which 1 wish to be governed entirely by your good taste. I have q dear little triend-my nearest neigh Dor just across the street from the of flee, to whom 1 would like to present a little gift. Now do you think some thing of this kind would be out of placc?" pointing to the honey -husks. "Now, have not known her very long, but we have already become the dearest friends in the world. know she is interested in decorative work, for Eve seen her tacking up all sorts of things, and thought perhaps something of this sort would please her-say basket of honey -husks, with some sprays of thorn and tasteful bunch of the flowers"
 "Who is she?" said Ada, looking at him curiously.
 1 Adele Goswayne. Her family has lately moved into Morning Glory Did you not notice that beautiful blue-eyed stranger in church last 1 Sunday? No; you were not there. I do assure you she is the dearest little one imaginable"
 And she had thought he loved her {. Ada felt great wave of modification and regret sweep over her, leaving its crimson rings upon her cheeks and brow.
 "Oh, think it would be very tasteful gift" said she faintlv, assist ing to fill basket with the brownest. best honey -husks and some of the smoothest spines.
 "YOu must tell me what to do with them, for 1 will be sure to have to as- ] sist her in arranging them. She is a a stranger here and perhaps never heard of honey -husk."
 Ada broke off punches of flowers and tied them into tasteful little bouquet, with feeling akin to what one would feel, perhaps, in arranging a floral piece for ones own coffin. As she leaned over Clinton, who was kneeling by the baskets, she saw what-a wavy thread of gold. There upon the shoulder of his gray tweed lay a curling golden hair, which looked like it had been twisted from some young girls crimpled bangs.
 ''Is she dark or fair?" asked Ada, as she opened her olive-green bag, pre- tending to be undecided in the choice between pink or blue ribbon with which to tie the flowers.
 "Oh, fair. fair, with golden hair" replied Clinton, with little laugh. That settled the question. The golden hair upon his coat belonged to that fair little Adele Goswayne, and they must be on intimate terms indeed for her head to have been resting upon his breast. A painful pang shot through Ada's heart at these disclosures. "But why should l carer" she said to her. ] self as sha ,,alo,el.. { l.S...